Galway Bay fm - Sports

George McDonagh, John Mulligan, Cian O'Connell and Adrian O'Neill chat about the weekend's sporting action in Galway.

Racing at home on Saturday (27th April 2024) is in Navan. Cross-channel, there are meetings in Leicester, Haydock, Sandown, Ripon, Doncaster and Wolverhampton. With his 'Saturday Six,' here's George McDonagh.

SOCCER: Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Galway United (SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match commentary with Galway Bay FM's Jonathan Higgins and Joseph Murray)

SOCCER: Galway United assistant manager Ollie Horgan with Galway Bay FM's Jonathan Higgins after their 1-1 Premier Division draw with Shamrock Rovers

Galway senior hurling manager Henry Shefflin made four changes for their Leinster championship clash with Kilkenny on Sunday (28th April 2024) Cianan Fahy, David Burke, Brian Concannon and Conor Whelan replace Adrian Tuohey, Donal O’Shea, John Cooney and Declan McLaughlin. Meanwhile, Eoin Murphy, Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody, all injured against Antrim, haven’t been included in Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng’s matchday 26. Galway three-time All-Ireland winning manager Cyril Farrell joined Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly on 'Over The Line' to look ahead to the game. == Throw-in at Pearse Stadium on Sunday is 2pm and we’ll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM. The 'Over The Line' weekend preview show with Darren Kelly broadcasts every Friday evening from 7pm on Galway Bay FM.

SOCCER: Galway United left back Al-Amin Kazeem with Galway Bay FM's Jonathan Higgins after their 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers

FOOTBALL: Mayo 2-13 Galway 1-6 (Connacht MFC match commentary with Galway Bay FM's PJ Lynch and Kevin Dwyer)

FOOTBALL: Galway minor manager Neil McHugh with Galway Bay FM's PJ Lynch after their Connacht championship defeat to Mayo

FOOTBALL: Mayo 2-13 Galway 1-6 (Connacht MFC match report with Galway Bay FM's Kevin Dwyer)

Galway United face arguably their biggest test this season on Saturday (27th April 2024) when they take on Peamount United in the SSE Airtricity League Women's Premier Division. Phil Trill's side are on maximum points from four games, five clear at the top, and six ahead of Peamount.  Indeed, the Tribeswomen are on six wins from six in all competitions after already securing their quarter-final place in the Avenir All-Island Cup. Galway did fall to the eventual league champions 2-0 when they travelled to Peamount last May, but gained a measure of revenge with a 3-0 victory at home in November, one of only two losses suffered by the Dublin side in 2023. Julie-Ann Russell was the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Month for March after making her return to the maroon colours and the 59-time capped Irish international has been a central figure in their strong start this year. Julie-Ann Russell looked ahead to the game with Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly. == Kick-off at Greenogue on Saturday is 5pm and we'll have updates and commentary here on Galway Bay FM.

Galway United men travel to defending champions Shamrock Rovers; Galway United women travel to defending champions Peamount United; Three big games in the Galway FA Premier Division; Knockncarra meet Mervue United in FAI Women's Amateur Cup; With this and more, here's Galway Bay FM's Mike Rafferty (Friday, 26th April 2024)

The Dragons are a different team on home soil and will be looking to make it five wins from their last seven matches in all competitions at Rodney Parade  ahead of them hosting Connacht in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday (27th April 2024). Wales hooker Elliot Dee makes his 150th appearance for the Gwent region, while fellow international forward Aaron Wainwright also comes into the side as head coach Dai Flanagan rings the changes following last week’s defeat to Benetton. As for ninth-placed Connacht, they will want to build on last weekend’s 54-16 romp against Zebre as they bid to break into the play-off zone. Looking ahead to the game is Galway Bay FM's William Davies and Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins. == Kick-off at Rodney Parade on Saturday is 8pm and we'll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM. == Also available on our website galwaybayfm.ie are: We have full previews of UL Bohemians v Corinthians and Dolphin v Galwegians in the Energia All-Ireland League playoffs. Preview as well of the Junior Interprovincial match between Ulster and Connacht. And Corinthians vs Sligo in the Connacht under-17 Boys Cup Final. Full stream Commentary of UL Bohemians v Corinthians on our website galwaybayfm.ie. from 2.20PM and conclusion on FM after the Minor Hurling. Our Connacht rugby coverage is brought to you by Murty Rabbitts

Galway Under 20 Footballers are through to meet Roscommon in the Connacht Final on Saturday week following a 0-23 to 1-12 win over Sligo in McHale Park.  Here is the commentary of the game with Jonathan Higgins and Kevin Dwyer.

Two Corinthians teams go in search of provincial silverware this Sunday (28th April 2024) when they take on their Sligo counterparts in Connacht Finals. The under-15 Corinthians Blacks have been successful coming through the underage ranks and they'll take on Sligo at 1.30pm. Then the under-17s meet for the first time since Corinthians won 51-0 in the league semi-final in January.  That was an unusual result between the teams, as Sligo did edge Corinthians at under-16 level. Following a league final defeat, Corinthians overcame Loughrea and Castlebar before avening their league final loss to Buccaneers (22-11) in the semi-final.  Sligo have also three wins from three since the league. Leading up to the game, Corinthians under-17 manager Rob Dolan chatted to Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly. == Kick-off at Dexcom Stadium on Sunday is 3.30pm.

(Galway welterweight Andreeas Binder after beating Victor Kuku at LFL12 in Amsterdam. Photo (c) Nicky Coyle) Galway's Andreeas 'Judoka' Binder made his long awaited MMA return last Sunday (21st April 2024) when he made local favourite Victor Kuku submit at the 'Levels Fight League' event in Amsterday. It was Binder's first fight at welterweight after failing to make the lightweight class for his last two contests.  This was his first outing since winning the LFL title belt in that class last July. After taking time to size up his opponent, the 27-year-old finally got on top of proceedings and made Kuku tap out to a 'Rare Naked Choke' in the third round. The result was a massive relief for the SBG Charlestown fighter who felt the pressure of needing a victory following his absence from the Octagon.  You can hear his interview with Galway Bay FM before the weekend by clicking HERE. 'Judoka's record is now 9-2 (wins-losses) and he is on a four fight winning streak. Andreeas Binder caught up again with Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly to reflect on how important the weekend was and what comes next. == Andreeas Binder's encounter with Victor Kuku comes up around the 2:17:00 mark.

Connacht travel to Wales to take on the Dragons for the first time in 13 months on Saturday (27th April 2024) in Round 15 of the BKT United Rugby Championship. Their last trip in March 2023 ended in a 22-20 when for the visitors with tries coming from Dave Heffernan, Jarrad Butler and Cian Prendergast. Connacht ended a two-match losing streak in the competition with a 54-16 victory over Zebre.  But Dragons' 36-19 defeat to Benetton was their sixth loss in seven games in all competitions.  Their only win was 20-13 against Zebre. Connacht are ninth on 39 points, just outside the top-8 on scoring difference.  Dragons languish in 15th place with just 15 points. Leading up to the game, Connacht defence coach Scott Fardy has been chatting with Galway Bay FM's William Davies. == Earlier this week, Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins gave a squad update.  Click HERE. Kick-off at Rodney Parade on Saturday is 8pm and we'll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM. Our Connacht rugby coverage is brought to you by Murty Rabbitts.

This week on 'The Full-Time Whistle' with Galway Bay FM's  John Mulligan: (Sunday, 21st April 2024) Galway senior footballers scrap through the Connacht Final against Sligo, but defeat for the minors against Roscommon; Galway senior hurlers make winning start against Carlow in Leinster championship but minors suffer heavy loss to Kilkenny; Connacht back to winning ways with eight tries against Zebre in United Rugby Championship Galway United beat Shelbourne 1-0 in SSE Airtricity League Premier Divisions; All this and more. == The Full Time Whistle on Galway Bay FM Sponsored by Getsetgo.ie Game Changing online car, home and travel insurance that’s faster, better and easier

Connacht won’t have Mack Hansen or Byron Ralston back for Saturday’s (27th April 2024) trip to Dragons in the United Rugby Championship. However, head coach Pete Wilkins says that JJ Hanrahan’s hamstring won’t stop him playing this weekend, while Jack Carty could be back for the Munster game on May 11th. Pete Wilkins provided an overall squad update to assembled media and also had a quick word with Galway Bay FM's William Davies. == Kick-off at Rodney Parade on Saturday is 8pm and we'll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM. Our Connacht rugby coverage is brought to you by Murty Rabbitts.

RUGBY: Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins with Galway Bay FM's William Davies after their 54-16 URC win over Zebre

RUGBY: Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine with Galway Bay FM's William Davies after their URC victory over Zebre

RUGBY: Connacht 54-16 Zebre (URC match report with Galway Bay FM's Rob Murphy)

Darragh Canning of P1 Predict joined John to talk about the weekend's Chinese Grand Prix and also to unveil details of a very special event to take place on May 26th, the day of the Monaco Grand Prix.

FAI Plans to introduce a unified calendar schedule have met with resistance from Galway’s Soccer Clubs. Under the plan, all leagues in the country would start in February and continue to November. The Majority of leagues currently run from September to May. Representatives from many of the Galway soccer clubs recently met to discuss the FAI’s plan to introduce a calendar year schedule under their Football Pathways Plan and have voiced their opposition citing major concerns for young player welfare. Angus Byrne is the Cathaoirleach of Bearna na Forbacha Aontaithe and he joined John Mulligan in studio as part of Sunday Sport.

Racing in Ireland on Saturday (20th April) is in the Curragh. Cross-channel, there are meetings in Bangor-on-Dee, Ayr, Newbury, Thirsk, Brighton and Nottingham. With his 'Saturday Six,' here's George McDonagh.

Galway begin their Leinster senior hurling championship campaign on Sunday (21st April 2024) when Carlow visit Salthill. It's their first championship meeting since the Tribesmen edged past the Barrowsiders by 1-24 to 1-18 in 2019. Salthill/Knocknacarra's Donal O'Shea and Sarsfields' John Cooney make their championship debuts while Clarinbridge's Gavin Lee gets his first start.  O'Shea and Cooney are two of four changes from the game against Limerick in the league with Turloughmore's Daithi Burke named full back and Portumna's Declan McLaughlin also included.  There is no place for Johnny Glynn in the matchday 26. After the squad was announced, Galway Bay FM's Sean Walsh joined Darren Kelly on 'Over The Line.' == Throw-in at Pearse Stadium on Sunday is 2pm and we'll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM. The 'Over The Line' weekend preview show with Darren Kelly broadcasts every Friday evening from 7pm on Galway Bay FM.

SOCCER: Galway United assistant manager Ollie Horgan with Galway Bay FM's Mike Rafferty after their 1-0 win over Shelbourne

SOCCER: Galway United 1-0 Shelbourne (SSE Airtricity League Premier Division commentary with Galway Bay FM's Mike Rafferty and Derek Rogers

FOOTBALL: Roscommon 1-10 Galway 1-7 (Connacht MFC commentary with Galway Bay FM's PJ Lynch and Kevin Dwyer)

FOOTBALL: Galway minor manager Neil McHugh with Galway Bay FM's PJ  Lynch and assembled media after their 1-10 to 1-17 defeat to Roscommon

FOOTBALL: Roscommon 1-10 Galway 1-7 (Connacht Minor Championship match report with Galway Bay FM's Kevin Dwyer)

Galway continue their three-in-a-row Connacht senior championship ambitions on Saturday (20th April 2024) when they travel to take on Sligo. It's a repeat of last year's decider when Matthew Tierney struck 2-7 in a 2-20 to 0-12 victory for the Tribesmen. The Yeats County have never reached back-to-back deciders and must get a result to qualify for the Sam Maguire round-robin series. Shane Walsh has returned to the Galway team while Jack McCabe makes his first championship start.  Damien Comer is also in the matchday 26. After the team was announced, Galway Bay FM Head of Sport Ollie Turner joined Darren Kelly on 'Over The  Line.' == Throw-in at Markievicz Park on Saturday is 3.30pm and we'll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM. The 'Over The Line' weekend preview show with Darren Kelly broadcasts every Friday evening from 7pm on Galway Bay FM.

Galway United men host Shelbourne in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division; Galway United women continue their defence of the Avenir All-Island Cup; The Galway FA Premier Division is nearing the business end of the season; With this and more, here's Galway Bay FM's Mike Rafferty. (Friday, 19th April 2024)

Ireland international Finlay Bealham will become the 7th Connacht player to make 200 caps when they welcome Zebre in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday (20th April 2024). He'll join Denis Buckley, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, John Muldoon, Tiernan O'Halloran and Michael Swift in achieving that feat. There’s also a first start for Academy graduate Matthew Devine from Ballinasloe. Joining Galway Bay FM's William Davies to preview the game is Connacht assistant attack coach Mark Sexton. == The team in full: Shane Jennings at full back; A three-quarter line of John Porch, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki and Andrew Smith; Out half JJ Hanrahan partners scrum-half Matthew Devine; A front row of Jordan Duggan, captain Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce partners Niall Murray behind them; While Shamus Hurley-Langton, Conor Oliver and Sean O’Brien complete the back row. Kick-off at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday is 7.35pm and we’ll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM. == Our Connacht Rugby coverage is brought to you by Murty Rabbitts

Galway and Sligo match up again this Saturday (20th April) in the Connacht senior football semi-final, a repeat of last year's decider when the Tribemen were 2-20 to 0-12 winners in Castlebar. Padraic Joyce's team were comfortable 5-21 to 0-9 winnners in London two weeks ago, while Sligo looked impressive in dispatching Leitrim by 0-15 to 0-6. Last week, All-Ireland football championship sponsors AIB held their 2024 launch with four inter-county footballers. Among them was Sligo's Pat Spillane and he chatted to Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly. (This interview took place last week, nearly two weeks before the game). == Throw-in at Markievicz Park on Saturday is 3.30pm and we'll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM.

Galway begin the defence of their All-Ireland minor ladies football title on Wednesday (17th April) when they take on Sligo in the first round of the Connacht championship. The girls in maroon had an opening round bye as Mayo beat Roscommon and Sligo had too much for Leitrim. Kilconly-based Nigel Walsh, originally from Mervue, took over from Daniel Moynihan following the latter’s appointment as senior team boss this year. Katie Slattery (Dunmore MacHales), Klara Banek (Oughterard), Éabha Smith (Tuam/Cortoon), Aisling Madden (Kilkerrin/Clonberne) and Siún McGovern (Barna) all started last year’s All-Ireland Final victory over Kildare. Alisha O’Malley (St. Fursey’s) came off the bench. Leading up to the game, Nigel Walsh has been chatting to Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly. == Throw-in at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan on Wednesday is 7pm.

LGFA: Galway under-16 manager Donal Casserly with Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly after their Connacht Final defeat to Mayo

LGFA: Mayo 2-18 Galway 3-10 AET (Connacht u16 Final match report with Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly)

George McDonagh was joined by Sean Walsh, Niall Canavan, Cyril Farrell, Cyril Donnellan and KCLR's Brendan Hennessy to look forward to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship that begins on Sunday. They also looked at the overall All-Ireland Hurling Championship and the upcoming Leinster Minor Hurling Championship.

Friday Night, the 19th of April plans to be a very special one in the City as a team of Galway Gardai will take on a Galway County Darts selection to raise money for the Charity Lil Blue Heroes. Little Blue Heroes Foundation’s vision is to support families of children with serious illnesses in Ireland while empowering the lives of children through positive community engagement. They provide practical and financial support to families of children who have serious illnesses in Ireland while granting the wish of the children it supports to become Honorary Gardaí to empower the child and foster positive engagement with An Garda Síochána. The event will see some top quality darts take place in DeBurgos in St Augustine Street.  Brian O'Donnell, Simon Tierney and Damien Carey joined John in studio to talk about the event and also a special auction that will take place which will see thirteen signed rugby jerseys go under the hammer.

Gort Community School are putting together the final preparations for their Super 9's Camogie and Hurling tournaments that take place on the 30th of April and the 9th of May.  This tournament is organised and run by the Transition Year students in the school under the Future Leaders programme and has become incredibly successful with some of the top teams in the country taking part.  Zara Coppinger and Colm Madden spoke to John Mulligan as part of Sunday Sport.

John Mulligan looks back at the sporting weekend.